Aug. 29, 2008

Box Score

PROVIDENCE, R.I. - The Providence College men's soccer team opened the 2008 season with a 1-0 victory over Sacred Heart Friday afternoon at Glay Field. Sophomore Matt Marcin (Wilmington, Del.) scored in the 56th minute as the Friars captured their fourth consecutive season-opening match.

Marcin, who as a freshman last season scored three goals, struck his first this season as senior Ryan Maduro (Bristol, R.I.) sent a cross from the left side into the box to junior Timothy Ritter (Weston, Mass.). Ritter then played a one-touch pass to Marcin who rifled a low right-footed shot into the left corner of the net.

Providence controlled much of the match and outshot the Pioneers, 15-3. The Friars had three scoring opportunities late in the first half, but Sacred Heart goalkeeper Matthew Jones thwarted all three chances. In the 39th minute, Maduro played a left footed cross into the box to Ritter who turned and fired a shot that Jones pushed aside. Just over one minute later, sophomore Alex Redding (Newton, Mass.) slipped a through ball to Maduro who was able to dribble around Jones, but Jones recovered to make a diving stop on Maduro's left-footed attempt. On the ensuing quick corner kick, the ball was played to the left side of the box to Marcin, who lofted a shot from 20 yards out, but Jones was there to tip the ball over the cross bar.

Providence continued to create more chances in the second half. Junior Bryan Minogue (Miller Place, N.Y.), who was making his first career start, nearly scored his first collegiate goal as his header off a corner kick was pushed aside by Jones in the 68th minute. In the 78th minute, Maduro played a through ball to Ritter who was in on a breakaway, but Jones again made a diving save. In all, he finished with six saves. PC's Timothy Murray (Haverhill, Mass.) stopped two shots as he earned his ninth career clean sheet.

The Friars are back in action on Monday, September 1 when they host ACC foe and fourth-ranked Boston College at 2:00 p.m. at Glay Field